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Home › Pay › Common problems › Timeshares and vacation clubs
Fees and services

Timeshares and vacation clubs

Timeshare and vacation club pitches often start with a free gift or trip and end with a long sales meeting. The purchase price is only part of the cost, because yearly maintenance fees and special charges usually continue and can rise. Later, some owners are targeted by resale or exit companies that ask for money up front.

Common problems to watch for

  • A free trip or gift that requires a long sales presentation
  • Pressure to sign the same day to get a 'special' price
  • Talking about the purchase price but not yearly maintenance fees
  • Resale companies that claim to have a buyer ready, then ask for an upfront fee
  • Exit companies that charge large fees with no guaranteed result

Had one of these happen? Telling others what you were charged helps them avoid it.

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Free and low-cost alternatives

Book vacations as you goPaying for each trip when you take it avoids yearly fees and long contracts. Do you really need a timeshare to travel?
Ask the resort or developer directlySome developers have their own programs for owners who want out. Contact them directly before paying any outside company.
FTC consumer adviceThe Federal Trade Commission's free consumer.ftc.gov site explains how timeshare resale and exit scams work.
Your state attorney generalState attorney general offices handle consumer complaints and can tell you about cancellation rights under state law.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

What fair pricing looks like

A fair timeshare deal puts the purchase price, yearly fees, how fees can rise and how to get out all in writing. A reseller who gets paid only after a sale is safer than one who wants money first.

Before you pay

  • Ask for yearly maintenance fees and how much they have risen in past years
  • Take the contract home and read it before signing
  • Ask how long you have to cancel under your state's law
  • Search the company's name with 'complaints' and check with your state attorney general
  • Never pay a resale or exit company before your timeshare is actually sold or released

How to cancel

  1. Read your contract right away for the cancellation period; many states set a short window to cancel after signing.
  2. Cancel exactly as the contract says, usually in writing, and send it in a way you can track.
  3. After that window, contact the developer directly to ask about any surrender or exit options.
  4. Be wary of anyone promising to get you out for an upfront fee.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

Can I cancel a timeshare after I sign?

Many states give buyers a short cancellation period after signing, but the length and rules vary by state. Check your contract and your state attorney general's website right away. Send your cancellation the way the contract requires, and keep proof of when you sent it.

Someone says they have a buyer for my timeshare. Should I pay their fee?

Be very careful. The FTC has described resale schemes where companies promised a quick sale, charged an upfront fee and then didn't sell the property. Look for a reseller paid only after the sale, get any refund policy in writing, and check complaints first.

Do the fees stop if I don't use my timeshare?

Usually not. Maintenance fees and any special charges are generally due whether you use your week or not, and they may rise over time. Read your contract and ask the resort for a written history of fee increases.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.